Pentas plant named ‘NAKPEN004’

ABSTRACT

A new  Pentas  plant particularly distinguished by light pink flowers, a large flower cluster size, upright form, and a compact and branching growth habit is disclosed.

Genus and species: Pentas lanceolata.

Variety denomination: ‘NAKPEN004’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Pentas, botanically known as Pentas lanceolata, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘NAKPEN004’. The new cultivar originated from a hybridization made in 1995 in Fujisawa, Japan. An initial cross was made between a commercial female Pentas plant designated ‘New Pink’ (unpatented) having pink flowers, large flower clusters, a long flowering period and a glossy foliage, and a commercial male Pentas plant designated ‘New Rose’ (unpatented) having dark pink flowers, large flower clusters, a long flowering period and a branching growth habit. The F₁ seeds produced by the hybridization were sown in a greenhouse in 1996 and later transplanted to an outdoor trial. The F₁ plants were evaluated and selected based on compact growth habit, branching, and large flower clusters. The F₂ generation seed was sown in 1997, the F₃ generation seed was sown in 1998, and the F₄ generation seed was sown in 1999 and later transplanted to an outdoor trial. A single plant selection was chosen for further evaluation and for asexual propagation in 1999 based on its light pink flower color, branching and compact growth habit, and large flower clusters.

This single plant selection was asexually propagated and further evaluated in Fujisawa, Japan in 2001 in an indoor pot trial and an outdoor trial to confirm the uniformity and stability of its characteristics. In 2003, another indoor pot trial and outdoor trial were performed to confirm uniqueness. The plant was also trialed in Salinas, Calif. The selection subsequently was named ‘NAKPEN004’ and found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar were applied for in Canada on Apr. 4, 2005.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Salinas, Calif.

-   -   1. Light pink flower color;     -   2. Large flower cluster size;     -   3. A branching growth habit; and     -   4. An upright and compact plant habit.

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Pentas plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds, mature foliage, and plant habit.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of mature inflorescences.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘NAKPEN004’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Salinas, Calif. The data were obtained from plants grown about four months from propagation by terminal cuttings under greenhouse conditions. The following traits and characteristics describe the new variety. Color references are to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 4^(th) edition. Anatomic labels are from The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms, by M. Hickey and C. King, Cambridge University Press.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Rubiaceae.         -   Botanical name.—Pentas lanceolata.         -   Common name.—Pentas. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent of the initial cross.—‘New Pink’ an unpatented             pink-flowered Pentas plant.         -   Male parent of the initial cross.—‘New Rose’ an unpatented             dark pink flowered Pentas plant. -   Growth:     -   -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—The terminal 1.0 to 1.5             inches of an actively growing stem was excised. The             vegetative cuttings were propagated in five to six weeks.             The base of the cuttings were dipped for one to two seconds             in a 1:9 solution of DIP 'N GROW (1 part solution: 9 parts             water) root inducing solution immediately prior to placing             into the cell trays. Cuttings were placed into plastic cell             trays having 98 cells, and containing a moistened peat             moss-based growing medium. The cuttings were misted with             water from overhead for 10 seconds every 30 minutes until             sufficient roots were formed.         -   Environmental conditions for plant growth.—Rooted cuttings             were transplanted and grown in 20-cm diameter plastic pots             in a glass greenhouse located in Salinas, Calif. Pots             contained a peat moss-based growing medium. Soluble             fertilizer containing 20% nitrogen, 10% phosphorous and 20%             potassium was applied once a day or every other day by             overhead irrigation. Pots were top-dressed with a dry, slow             release fertilizer containing 20% nitrogen, 10% phosphorous             and 18% potassium. The typical average air temperature was             24° C. -   Plant description:     -   -   Life cycle.—Annual.         -   Habit.—Upright and compact with several basal branches.         -   Height.—24.0 cm to 32.0 cm.         -   Spread (including flowers).—27.0 cm to 38.0 cm.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 5 weeks.         -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—8 to 10 weeks.         -   Flowering requirements.—Will flower so long as the day             length is greater than 12 hours and the temperature exceeds             13° C.         -   Preferred propagation temperature.—18° C. to 24° C. -   Branches:     -   -   Number.—10 per plant.         -   Length.—13.5 cm to 27.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.4 cm to 0.5 cm. -   Stems:     -   -   Description.—Strong; circular cross-section.         -   Length.—1.0 cm from soil line to first node.         -   Diameter.—0.5 cm.         -   Internode length.—5.7 cm.         -   Color.—RHS 144A (yellow-green).         -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.         -   Texture.—Heavily pubescent.         -   Pubescence color.—RHS N155A (white). -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Entire to undulate.         -   Size.—Length: 12.0 cm to 13.5 cm. Width: 4.5 cm to 5.2 cm.         -   Color.—Upper surface: Closed to RHS 139A (green). Lower             surface: RHS 138B (green).         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Color: Upper surface: RHS 144D             (yellow-green). Lower surface: RHS 144D (yellow-green).         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Texture.—Dull.         -   Surface pubescence.—Heavy.         -   Surface pubescence color.—RHS N155A (white).         -   Petiole length.—0.7 cm to 1.4 cm.         -   Petiole color.—RHS 144D (yellow-green). -   Flower bud:     -   -   Texture.—Slightly pubescent.         -   Size.—Length: 0.4 cm to 0.5 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm.         -   Shape.—Elliptical, longitudinal cross-section.         -   Color.—RHS 144D (yellow-green). -   Flowers:     -   -   Inflorescence type.—Corymbose; 4 to 5 corymbs in full bloom             per plant.         -   Number of flowers per corymb.—60 to 90 flowers and buds.         -   Corymb diameter.—9.5 cm to 13.5 cm.         -   Corymb depth.—4.5 cm to 5.0 cm.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Corolla.—Shape: Salverform with 5 radial petals. Diameter:             1.9 cm to 2.4 cm. Depth: 1.0 cm to 1.4 cm. Tube diameter:             0.2 cm to 0.3 cm.         -   Calyx (sepals).—Shape: 5, fused. Apex: Acute. Base:             Attenuate. Margin: Entire. Color: RHS 139A (green).         -   Peduncle.—Color: RHS 69D (red-purple). Length: 1.5 cm to             2.0 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm to 0.2 cm.         -   Petals.—Texture: Glabrous. Size: Length: 0.6 cm to 0.8 cm.             Width: 0.5 cm. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Margin:             Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 69D (red-purple). Lower             surface: RHS N155A (white). Corolla throat: RHS N155A             (white). -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity: 5. Filament: Color: RHS 4A (yellow).             Length: 0.3 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. Anther color:             RHS 4A (yellow). Pollen amount: Abundant. Pollen color: RHS             4A (yellow). Pollen description: Powdery.         -   Pistils.—Quantity: 1, split into 2 stigmas. Length: 2.5 cm             to 3.0 cm. Stigma color: RHS 136D (green). Style color: RHS             N155A (white). -   Fruit and seed set: Has not been observed. -   Disease and insect resistance: No particular resistance or     susceptibility has been observed.

COMPARISON WITH COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

‘NAKPEN004’ is a new and unique variety of Pentas owing to its compact, branching growth habit, upright form, large flower cluster size, and light pink flower color. Table 1 shows ‘NAPKEN004’ compared to the lines of the initial cross.

TABLE 1 Comparison with Line of Initial Cross ‘New Rose’ and ‘New Pink’ Male: ‘New Female: ‘New Characteristic ‘NAPKEN004’ Rose’ Pink’ Flower color Light Pink Dark Pink Pink Plant growth Upright, branching, Branching Upright habit compact

‘NAKPEN004’ is similar to the commercial Pentas variety ‘New Look Pink’ (unpatented) however, there are differences as listed in the table below:

TABLE 2 Comparison of Characteristics between ‘NAKPEN004’ and ‘New Look Pink’ Characteristic ‘NAKPEN004’ ‘New Look Pink’ Plant growth Upright, branching Mounding habit and compact Flower color Light Pink Pink Flower cluster Large Medium size 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Pentas plant as shown and described herein. 